Lawrence Sass is an associate professor of architecture at MIT whose research includes rapid prototyping and its relationship to building construction. Professor Sass’s current research projects focus on design fabrication using computer modeling and prototyping, used as representational tools in the design process in place of traditional paper drawings. Before coming to MIT, Professor Sass worked professionally as a project architect. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and featured in many other exhibitions around the country. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Pratt Institute, which he followed with two degrees in architecture from MIT. Professor Sass also completed his postdoctoral work at the Institute, joining the faculty in the School of Architecture and Planning in 2002. His current teaching is in the area of design fabrication, or building design using prototyping and fabrication tools as a design process. An in-depth profile of Professor Sass is available through the MIT Alumni Association website.

Highlights of this interview include:

Discussion of the influence of art on architecture.

Commentary on working relationship with mentors William Mitchell and Isaac Colbert.

Early experiences with computer-aided design and its impact on his career as an architect.

Life as an African American student in the ’90s at MIT and cultural changes observed since then.

An in-depth look at the 2008 MoMA “Home Delivery” exhibit, curated in response to Hurricane Katrina (2005), and reflections on using technology to serve ordinary people.

Search Transcripts

Type a word here to search all video transcripts. You can then click on the filter icon to further restrict the selection with a choice of filters such as roles, topics and video types.